Author Topic: Computer Freezing (Read 34517 times)

VicTully · « **on:** December 31, 2016, 07:40:31 pm »

My wife's computer (Win 10 - I5 - 4 gb ram) "freezes" she says. I have ran A/V (Avast), Malwarebytes, and Computer Repair. Nothing helps. I have also cleaned the cache. Still does the same thing. She uses my Win10 I7 w/12 gb ram and it doesn't "freeze".

She plays games on Facebook daily.

Any ideas what is happening here?

Boggin · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2017, 02:54:04 am »

How long is the machine running before it freezes and is it a desktop or laptop ?

VicTully · « **Reply #2 on:** January 02, 2017, 10:31:14 am »

She says last time was like 5 minutes. She has an I3 - Win 10 - 4 gb ram that doesn't "freeze".

Boggin · « **Reply #3 on:** January 02, 2017, 10:58:56 am »

It was the machine that is freezing that I wanted to know if it was a desktop or laptop.

Also which version of Windows is that machine using ?

When it's that quick then I would suspect overheating, but with a desktop it can be that or the PSU.

With frequenting FB, then there's the possibility of an infection, but see what treating it as an overheating problem does first.

With just 5 mins to play with you won't have time to download the free version of HWMonitor to check the temperatures.

If you can, scroll down and click on the SETUP • ENGLISH button http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

If it's a laptop then I suggest you start by giving it a good blow over with a can of compressed air - they are known as Air Dusters.

Blow over the intake on the underside, the side vent and over the keyboard as some makes of laptop draw air in through the keyboard.

If it's a desktop then you will need to open up the case and check the interior for dust and fluff.

VicTully · « **Reply #4 on:** January 02, 2017, 01:22:41 pm »

I am so sorry. The machine is a laptop. Her machine is running Win 10.

I have ran Avast, Malwarebytes, & Computer Repair. My son-in-law went over it yesterday and looked at programs installed. He deleted a lot of crap from the machine, too. She has yet to try the machine. I will let you know what happens. I have also d/l'd HW Monitor and will let you know about that.

Thank you!

Boggin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2017, 02:10:54 pm »

Okay.

VicTully · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2017, 11:03:26 am »

HW Monitor shows the core temperatures @ 61 deg. C. Some temps may be a bit higher, some lower. Therm temp @ 58 deg. C.

I installed TweakBit PC Repair Kit. I have ran some of the repair apps included and it found numerous errors.

Hope this helps.

Boggin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2017, 03:19:36 pm »

Is that one of Shane's programs as I'm not familiar with it.

Just what sort of things did it find wrong ?

What was the graphics temps ?

When they get towards 70ºC that can slow things down and higher would cause the machine to shutdown.

The HDD will probably be the lowest temp but for the rest, when they get over 60 then that is pointing towards overheating..

Generally mid 50s are the norm.

A tell-tale sign of overheating is when the fan is blowing strong all of the time.

Have you blown the laptop out yet ?

Still_Game · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2017, 11:22:42 pm »

Quote from: Boggin on January 03, 2017, 03:19:36 pm

Is that one of Shane's programs as I'm not familiar with it.

Just what sort of things did it find wrong ?

What was the graphics temps ?

When they get towards 70ºC that can slow things down and higher would cause the machine to shutdown.

The HDD will probably be the lowest temp but for the rest, when they get over 60 then that is pointing towards overheating..

Generally mid 50s are the norm.

A tell-tale sign of overheating is when the fan is blowing strong all of the time.

Have you blown the laptop out yet ?

TweakBit PC Repair Kit is probably a variant of this or another one of these bogus repair tools that finds loads of spurious errors and then wants you to pay to get them fixed http://www.ghacks.net/2015/05/19/this-happens-when-you-install-a-fix-my-pc-program/

Boggin · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2017, 02:25:21 am »

That had crossed my mind but was waiting for VT to come back with a reply.

VicTully · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2017, 10:49:20 am »

I got that impression about TweakBit PC Repair Kit. When I scanned the machine with Malwarebytes TweakBit PC Repair Kit came up all over the place on the scan. I deleted it quickly.

I ran HWMonitor again and find that the graphics area does not have a temperature measurement. Core temperatures at rest are approximately 52 deg C.

I did reload from the backup that was done shortly after we purchased the machine.

I am now adding a few programs the was not included such as Google Chrome, and the latest Avast A/V software as well as Malwarebytes Spyware software.

I will report back when these are complete.

VicTully · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2017, 12:44:03 pm »

As I try to make adjustments, such as with the programs, I had a few "freezes". I believe that your suggestion to blow the machine out with pressurized air will be just what I need here.

Thanks.

Boggin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2017, 03:26:11 pm »

Normally the temps in a quiescent state should be below 50ºC

This is mine with 4 IE tabs open.

VicTully · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2017, 09:37:25 am »

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I purchased a can of compressed air this morning. I blew out through evey opening and dust came out. Right at this moment, the core temps at idle is 35 - 38 deg C. and the HD Temp is 27 deg. C. At this time, I think that dust was the culprit.
I will keep an eye on it for a few days.

Thanks again for all your help.

Vic

Boggin · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2017, 02:38:42 pm »

That's quite an improvement.

What sort of surface is the laptop being used on ?

VicTully · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2017, 03:50:16 pm »

It's a plastic base that was supposed to have fans in it, but it doesn't work now.

Boggin · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2017, 04:48:43 pm »

Does it restrict air to the air intake or the vent on the laptop ?

The underside should also have sufficient clearance if there are holes in the casing for the heat sink to dissipate.

VicTully · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2017, 10:41:41 am »

Her lap. LOL! Really. She tried it last night, but it did freeze on her again. Any ideas of the best way to get inside to clean more dust out. This is an ASUS I5. She has had it for maybe 2 years.

Thanks again,

Vic

Boggin · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2017, 02:46:29 pm »

It's possible there could be a blocked duct but you would need to open it up for any further cleaning.

You can Google for disassembly instructions, but I think there are a few ASUS with the i5 CPU.

http://bfy.tw/9KGK

If these don't cover the model, then Google specifically for its disassembly instructions if you feel confident in stripping it down.

How long was it running for before it started to freeze this time and can you check the temps again just to ascertain it is still an overheating problem.

VicTully · « **Reply #19 on:** January 17, 2017, 12:28:35 pm »

My son-in-law and I are going to do just that this weekend. We are going to clean it out as well as we can.

If it's heat, then this should do it.

Boggin · « **Reply #20 on:** January 17, 2017, 01:59:30 pm »

I've just realized in your Reply #17 that you say she is using it on her lap.

If the underside vent is not clear to draw air in then it will overheat and there's the chance of it drawing in fluff from clothes.

Before you go stripping it down, see if it freezes when used on a table.

VicTully · « **Reply #21 on:** January 17, 2017, 02:53:22 pm »

I had it on my bench and it froze. We decided that we are going disassemble it this Friday evening.

Boggin · « **Reply #22 on:** January 17, 2017, 03:01:08 pm »

Was the fan loud at the time ?

VicTully · « **Reply #23 on:** January 17, 2017, 03:24:25 pm »

No, not at all. I checked to make sure it was still running.

Boggin · « **Reply #24 on:** January 17, 2017, 03:47:08 pm »

When you get an overheating problem the fan usually fights hard to get the temps down, so you would normally hear it working overtime.

What is HWMonitor giving for the temps ?